Pumping at Work Routine | Nurse | Full Time Working Mom on PCU

[@Mommabear30]

I'm a pedi oncology nurse currently on maternity leave. After watching this video... I just want to give you a superwoman cape or an award. You are amazing. I'm nervous about returning to work because I can barely remember to bring or even make my lunch. I pray I can be consistent pumping... LOVE THE VIDEO! NEW SUBSCRIBER ❤

[@Mommabear30]

My goodness you are in school too?????? Wow!

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

First off congrats on your little one!! You are not alone in your struggle of motherhood and especially as a breastfeeding nurse. This was several months ago and I plan on doing an update on breastfeeding. We are still breastfeeding but I have a way lower supply, she’s almost one so I know that’s contributing but being a nurse in the hospital does not help at all. Although this video shows my routine I can’t say 100% if not pumping more often at work in the beginning contributed to the low supply as well. Us nurses are so dedicated to our patients that we often forgo our basic needs. Hunny, you deserve your pump breaks so do take them. Your work will always be there when you get back from pumping. I have found there are certain nurses who are always willing to hold my pager and some who aren’t (I just steer clear of them). Pack your stuff up the night before so it’s ready to go and maybe consider storing your pump parts in the fridge? It works well for me. I pumped on maternity leave to save up all the extra milk and boy am I glad I did! I have not pumped enough almost from the beginning for daycare bottles and just used the frozen milk however no issues when I’m with baby until recently. Which is okay because she’s almost one and I don’t have a problem feeding her with a bottle of frozen milk if she needs it. I knew my supply was probably going to end up being an issue due to my job and the high demands of working in the hospital. So glad you found my video! Yes, I’m also in school. Us moms are fierce and can handle anything we set our minds to, just tell yourself you can survive your pumping journey at work and before you know it you’re baby will be 1 (not trying to wish away those precision times but it does go quickly so enjoy while you can)!

[@Mommabear30]

@@WorkingTowardsImprovement Thank you!!! And thanks so much for the GREAT advice. Looking forward to the updated video. You are such an inspiration. Glad I found your channel...

[@Mommabear30]

@@WorkingTowardsImprovement I can do this. ❤❤❤ I have to push through and prepare!

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

@MommaBearFitness I also have Instagram NurseMomVlog. I post there a lot more often because I don’t have to edit a video lol

[@brandyl3457]

Thank you! I know this video is 2 years old but I'm close to going back to work and I needed am idea of how to handle pumping at work.

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

You can do it!! It’s hard work but believe in yourself and keep going.

[@Petruskinhap972]

Awesome! Nurse here too. I used to pump in my car with a manual pump while watching KZbin. Lol Those were the days. Good job!! 💕💕💕

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Wow you're amazing! I could never figure out how to get the manual pumps to work.

[@JOXGIRL1]

It’s not easy pumping while working a shift on the floor. It’s exhausting too. It all matters so much. You make such an impact on the lives of your children for doing this wonderful thing for them. Before you know it, breastfeeding will be in your past. You might even miss it. Enjoy the aspects of this gift while you have it. Stay strong. You are doing s good job.

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Yes, she is already a year old and stopped breastfeeding shortly after her birthday. I'm grateful for the year we had but also thankful to be done breastfeeding with a little more freedom!

[@_bewitchedbyyaz]

I never thought about pumping on my way to work and on the way home. I currently work as a caregiver (I’m in school currently for my bachelors to then go to veterinary medicine school). I’m glad I bought a car adapter for my pump, since most of my job is driving home to home. all my pumping will have to be done in my car. I’m thinking of buying a car window curtain for some privacy. My uniform for being a caregiver is scrubs. I may have to find a top like yours that buttons down!

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Don’t worry about anyone seeing you! Be proud! It’s they’re fault they looked in the window lmao go you girl! You can totally pump and drive. In another comment I mentioned the bra I use, I can’t remember right now what it is. There’s many out there that you can just wear and slip in your pump parts. You got this momma!!

[@_bewitchedbyyaz]

NurseMomFlybaby thank you! I found a pretty good pumping bra off of Amazon it’s such a life saver when I have to pump and study. Another video I saw the woman just used a muslin blanket to cover. Since I have plenty of those no need for car window curtains lol

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Yaz Valentin yes I’ve totally used that blanket method before too!!

[@millybify]

This will be me soon. Thank you so much. Well done! xxxx

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

You got this 🙌🏻 you can do it!!

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

If you liked this video, please tell me what you liked about this video. Will you be returning to work soon on a busy hospital unit and have questions about maintaining supply or other burning questions? Let me know! I'm planning to do some follow up breastfeeding videos just trying to find the time while working and going to school.

[@athomewithrobin292]

I am.in clinicals. My instructor told me today it was ok to leave twice and pump but tomorrow I will have my own patients and C ant. That I can't leave the floor.

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Robin in my experience even if you’re in clinical you will always be with a nurse. I would discuss that with your nurse you’re following. There has to be some legal ramification for not letting you pump? I know employers have to but I don’t know how it is for schooling. Look up on on your state laws ASAP! You need to pump tomorrow or you’re going to be in pain or even get clogs.

[@athomewithrobin292]

@@WorkingTowardsImprovement thank you. I'm going to call the school tomorrow

[@jessicasaroha2875]

Hi thanks for your video! I am also a nurse; I work night shift for 12 hours so I already know this pumping journey will be tough. My first day back at work is next week and my daughter is 3 months old. I'm worried that I will not have enough time to pump because as you had said, patients come first, and unfortunately my unit is very very busy so I'd be lucky if I can get 3 pump breaks :/ Do you put your pump parts in the fridge so you don't have to wash in between sessions?? I'm trying to find ways to pump efficiently and spend less time cleaning at work so I can get back to my patients. Any other tips you have for pumping while at work on a busy unit? Thank you!

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Jessica Saroha good luck momma! Yes this the hardest thing I’ve had to do. I don’t have much advise as far as pumping 3 times on the shift because I only pump twice, because of that I’m sure that’s why I have low supply now (8m now) so if you can get in the groove of pumping 3 times I would stick with that. I do put my pump parts in a bag and refrigerate, it’s super quick that way. The only thing with that is I’ve noticed the pump parts get milk spilled on them inside the bag and get a little sticky but something I just deal with. I also wear a nursing/pumping bra so I don’t have to deal with putting on a hands free bra. Hands free bra is awesome so you can massage and help the milk come out. The only thing saving me for my daughter to be all breastmilk is the fact that I pumped ahead of time and saved a ton of milk. I’m hoping I can make it to a year but if we can’t I’ll just do 1/2 breastmilk 1/2 formula. Set your patients up so that when you leave they should hopefully not call the nurse covering your pager. I’ve kind of learned who does and doesn’t really like holding my pager.

[@jessicasaroha2875]

@@WorkingTowardsImprovement omg this is crazy, but I’m having baby #2 now and stumbled across your video again! Thank you for the advice before it really helped, and I was able to continue breastfeeding and pumping up to 1 yr! I’m hoping for success again this time around, but thanks again for the awesome video!

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Oh my gosh dang YT never told me about this comment. Wooo hoo!!! Congrats on making it to a year of breastfeeding! That’s is such an accomplishment! Also congratulations on #2!!!

[@irenesavva4483]

Hey. How do you store and transfer the milk home safely? I know you show an ice pack but how does that work please

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Hi! This was almost 4-5 years ago I can’t even believe my daughter is getting so big. I had about a 30min drive. I would keep the ice pack in the freezer at work and then as I’m heading home just grab it and put the small bottles into the bag along with the ice pack. Search for breastmilk baby bottle cooler bag and it should pop up of something you could get. The one that I have is a Medela bag. Let me know if you have any other questions! I hope I explained it well enough.

[@abbyrocha9359]

At what time do you use to feed her before going to work? Trying to figure it out my schedule as well. (First time mom). Awesome job btw momma! I’m a Nurse Assistant with 10 patients per shift working 12hrs! I’m scared but also inspired by your video 💕

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

You got this! 🙌🏻 I know a lot of info will say not pump in the beginning but I will say that was instrumental in letting me collect as much milk as I could before my hormones shifted and I didn’t get as much pumping at work. I fed right before I left basically. My drive to work was 30mins. I would pump on the way there. I tried pumping twice a shift in the beginning and it was very difficult so I switched to once during my lunch break and then pumped on the way home. NOT ideal for a true pumping schedule but I had to make it work and I was committed to keep feeding my baby. That kind of schedule did slow down milk production which is why I am so so so glad I pumped before I went back to work because then I just supplemented frozen breastmilk at daycare what I couldn’t pump during the day the previous day. Feel free to DM on IG if you have any questions or need support! I didn’t know anyone else who was a nurse and pumped at work so I was kind of on my own. @workingtowardsimprovement on IG too

[@lailazegmout1756]

How long you pump per session

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

I pumped 30mins

[@gabriellagflluz]

Really loved your video. I’m currently working as a RN (in my case, ER), 34 weeks pregnant and planning to pump also when baby gets here. Question, do you wash the pump parts after every section or that’s why you put it in the fridge? Do I need to buy more pumping parts?

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Girl you got this!! You can pump when you get back to work! It’s totally possible you just have to believe in yourself. It’s very very hard working on the floor and pumping. The only way I was successful is because I pumped before I went back to work and had extra in the freezer. If I didn’t pump enough they next day for daycare we would toss a frozen bag in. I personally did not wash my parts after every pump. I felt like it took to long. I think the recommendation is only to do that if you have a healthy baby not a preemie or something like that. I would put them in a plastic bag and toss them in the fridge. If you uncomfortable with people seeing your stuff there are also like little bags you can get that would hide it. I also found it really helpful to have a bra that I could wear that was a pumping bra. I didn’t have to put on a pumping bra because I already had one on. I think I linked it here on the comments for someone else. Best of luck!! You got this momma! I was able to pump for a whole year for my baby girl 💪🏻 I know you’re strong because you are an RN and working pregnant. That shit ain’t easy, so you got this!

[@gabriellagflluz]

@@WorkingTowardsImprovement thank you so much for your help!!! You’re amazing! All the content is on point! You definitely made me more comfortable with pumping when coming back to work! God Bless You ❤️

[@strawberryummm]

Can you put up link of where to get the pumping/nursing bra that you're using? Would appreciate it.

[@eunho_eomma]

do you wash your pump before putting them in refrigerator? coz i really find it time consuming to wash pump every after pumping at work

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

I do not was my pump parts before putting them in the refrigerator at work. I however have a clean set every day I work. I hope that helps 🙂 good luck momma you can do it!

[@eunho_eomma]

@@WorkingTowardsImprovement thank you for your response!

[@allisoncripe7635]

How long are your pump sessions?

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

I did 30mins when I was pumping

[@yasnaperanchiguay7881]

Have you seen your milk production decreased?

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Yes unfortunately I have. :( 8 months now and I only take home about 11-12oz and when I filmed this I was getting about 15-18. I think part of it is just a natural process of my body regulating and also not being able to pump every 3hrs like is recommended a lot. I anticipated this, so that's why I pumped so much milk before I returned back to work. I really don't want to be pumping extra at this point in our breastfeeding relationship I have to much going on with work, school, and life so I don't mind that I use up our freezer stash because I can't pump enough for the bottles at daycare. I don't have a problem nursing when we are together and hopefully that lasts. One of the ways I could probably combat the low supply is pump 4 times a day: one on the way, two times at work, and one on the way home + one time at night but honestly I'm kind of lazy. Are you heading back to work on a busy hospital unit? I've seen some other woman that manage to pump every three hours on these busy units I'm really amazed by them. I've been making it home at 9pm on the last few shifts so I can't even imagine if I pumped every 3hrs.

[@yasnaperanchiguay7881]

oh I'm sorry, as you say it's natural. Besides, you working in a hospital service is exhausting and stressful, the decrease is normal. I work advising the wet nurses in every way. Unfortunately, working mothers stop breastfeeding and many find it hard to leave their babies. That's why I was surprised by your video and that you try so hard to maintain it.

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

I can see why, this working and breastfeeding thing is very demanding! I'm hoping I have enough frozen milk until she hits 1st birthday but if not we will probably supplement with 1/2 breastmilk 1/2 formula. If that's the way it is that's okay no big deal as long as we can still breastfeed when we are together.

[@kristineb697]

​@@yasnaperanchiguay7881 😅

[@strawberryummm]

Thanks for sharing. Im a new mom and a new nurse. I just got hired onto my first RN job, and I start on Monday with corporate and clinical orientation. Im nervous about how its gonna go with breast pumping at work. Im really hoping to give breastmilk to my baby until her first birthday on Christmas. Ill be working in Medsurge floor with 5:1 patient:nurse ratio, 84hrs per 2wk period. Rlly nervous about pumping

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Hey Ruby I'm so glad you found my video! First off, congratulations on your new baby and new RN job! I'm not going to lie it's going to be hard but us mommas are strong and you can totally do this! The bra I use is from www.olliegraybras.com. It's okay. It's definitely nice not having to put on a pump bra at work but I did notice that it's super padded and looks funky on tight fitting clothes. It works fine however with scrubs. When I filmed this video I was making a lot more milk. Now at 10.5m I make way less and I'm not sure if that's due to only pumping two times at work or not. If I wouldn't have pumped before I returned to work I would be doing half milk and half formula by now, which is fine no big deal, but since this is my first baby I can't way whether or not that was due to only pumping twice at work. If I would have had to do it over again I think I would tried pumping three times at work. Don't let yourself get so consumed in your patients that you don't take your pump breaks. You deserve them and the work is always there. Good luck! Let me know how it goes.

[@MommyKnowsBest]

This is great info!! Check out one of our most recent video's about getting ready to pump at work! 💗

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

Awesome! Might be a good resource for anyone who finds this video. I no longer pump as my kids are older. Thanks for commenting!

[@stevewolf7480]

I am sorry for wives whose husbands don't provide and don't take care of their wives. Men need to man up and provide for financial needs of family. It's man's job to be provider and breadwinner in family. Shame on husbands whose, women can't be with breastfeeding children,because they need to work and support family .

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

It’s very multi factorial. This can’t be blamed on my husband.

[@Jhonjgh98]

I am working as a Pharmacist and i am planning to breastfeed my second baby

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

You got this! My husband just graduated pharmacy school. Do you work hospital, retail, or outpatient? I know whichever area can be busy. Hopefully you’ve got another pharmacist on staff so you can step away if you need to.